The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-01
cordiality. My requests were few, and to all OF
. these Mr. Lincoln acceded with extreme good

"
and generally inspiring the laughter. There
was no danger of interruption to his fame as
teller of stories. No remark, however seem
iugly irrelevant, but served him as a hint or
text for lively anecdotes when he was in the vein.
From the freshness and variety Of his recirais,
not to speak of the abundant store at his conf
mand, was led to believe that these vivaclous
fables were as often the outcome OF sudden
Invention as OF accumulated recollections. They
were amazingly apt, sometimes, and, no matter
how remote the connection with the subject
in hand might appear at the outset. the ap-
plica,on would always fit itself exactly at the
close-which, again, indicated the gift OF i'm
p-ovisation
1--WE want to know how you'll VOTE Mr..
Lincoln" said a rough farmer from Dwight
one morning. The candidate was honored with
complimentary prefix to his name when per-
sonally addressed and to that extent, it is true,
the impending change in his condition was re-
cogniZed. although he continued to be spoken OF
as Abe. Old Abe, Uncle Abe. the Old Man, or
even more familiarly. when out OF hearing.
Eve want to know how you'll vote"
YES, we ali want to know that" said a rougher-
looking countrymau, whose vacant and irreso-
lutte countenance rather contradicted the asser-
ton os interest in any subject.
"Why, Job, what do you want to know forl"
asked Mr.. Lincoln. smiling at him.
Well, you see,' began the other. hesitatingly.
and then stonDed short. while his companions
laughed ia derision.
dob doesn't exactly see his way clear said one
or them He can't make up his mind which
course TO steer. He wants sort Of lead"
That's it," said another, "but it's use, Job;
You can't get any lead from Mr. Lincoln. He
won't vote at all, you know"
mo, no; OF course not" came in murmurs
from the group of visitors clustered around the
stove. He won't vote. it stands to reason"
We'll, don't be too certain of that said Mr.
Lincoln; Il am not"
mo, not certain that shant. The fact is.
don't see why shouldn't have my say like the
rest. Why mott"
/ BE you really going to vote, Unc-Mr. Lin
colns' asked the individual answering to the
name Of Job, his face Frightening little, at
which the assemblage again laughed, in good
| natured mockery.
'Mercys sake, Mr. Lincoln, if you be going to
vote, it'll be a blessing to job he's feeling out
all ways for safety, like blind cat atop Of
fence
''Well, you look in at half past 3 next Tuesday
afternoon, and you'll see how shall vote.'
Shall you. honest. now" Wouldn't ha'
| thought it, ''WhatIl the boys eayq' were the
responses from various quarters.
Maybe you wouldn't mind telling US now,
Mr.. Lincoln" suggested job, timidly; whereat
| the others broke out again, apparently in mirth
over the idea that there could be any doubt on
| that minor point the larger question having
been decided.
III tell you, job" said Mr.. Lincoln, and his
| eye twinkled as he bent forward to put fresh
| wood into the stove, II shall vote for-Yates +"
L
ernor of Illinois, and the announcement was re-
ceived with the expected hilarity by all except
| ing the anxious minded job who seemed to be
| a kind of butt among his fellows
Yes" he resumed, slowly; that's very we'll
| for the State Oh. yes. that's all right for nl-
| Nigh But, don't you see. there's only two can
ddates here. When you come to four faint so
easy to make up your mind. ] don't want any
| body to tell me who to vote for for Governor
| begging your pardon, Mr.. Lincoln; it's the pres
/ idential tickets that bothers me-"
| JOB says the more he hears about 'em the
| more he can't tell one from t'other," explained a
| friendly listener.
| Mr. Lincoln moved forward in his chair, to the
right and to the left drew himself erect fer a
| moment. and then leaned composedly back.
This was the usual prelude to a story.
JOB reminds me of Pidge Risley down at
| Widow Brauchs The widow had a fine growth
| of eirls-Oiive Branches they used to call them
five bright creatures and one son. People said
| the old folks set ont 20 have ten daughters-pre-
ferred girls; but concluded, after the fifth, to put
all the womanlshness OF five more into one son.
Any way, young Phil Branch didn't seem to be
| of much use as = man. The girls were all grown
| UP and marriageabe-two or three had been
marriaeeable for ever SO long; but when any
| one of them began to be courted, Phil would
| step in and do some ridiculous thing to upset
| the whole business. Pidge Risey was stranger,
| and when he moved into Calhoun county, he
gave out he was in search of wife; so he was
| taken to Widow Branch's in a friendly way,
| and passed merry first evening. When
| he took leave, tnat useless brother hung on to
| Him. and tried to find out what he thought about
tho girls. Pidge wouldn't say much, except that
| he liked the youngest ones way of fixing her
| curls; and the very next time he called there.
| what do you think-three out of the Ave had
their hair put up just the same way-all in curls.
| The youngest didn't seem we'll pleased, but
| Pidge enjoyed himself, and when Phil came
around investigating again he let on that he was
| good deal taken by tasty cap the oldest
daughter wore. Presently Pidge looked in once
more of an evening, and the first thing he saw
was that four of the girls had the same Identical
sort of cap on their heads. That night he gave
| a little the most attention to the one who wore
| no cap just for contrariness. [ suppose; and
| when Phil Branch came prowlng few days
after Pidge couldn't help saying, although he
was bit shy of Phil by that time. that he never
saw nicer picture than the middle sister OF the
five, plump and fresh, and sparkling,
with her low -necked f2ock and shori
sleeves Sunday evening he dropped in
after tea. having mentioned to the widow
at afternoon meeting, that he intended
to do 90, and there were the whole FIVE in a row
ali in low necks and short sleeves. That seemed
to set Pidge to rejecting hard. and the uoshot OF
it was, he never went near the Widow Branchi
again. He was talked to a good deal about it
i but you could get nothing out of him. excep
that there was altogether too much want of dis
similarity in the Branch family. and he coudn
see the utility of a lot of sisters being 80 unani
nous. You see, job" concluded Mr. Lincoln
"the more he saw of EN- the more he couldu,
tell one from another"
Another time, when an indguan. ex- Oemocra
was expounding the reasons for abandoning his
former fellowship and enrolling himself under
the new banner, something was said about tn,
absurdity Of the Breckenridge followers in hold
ing fast to the old party name, when Democratic
principles had long been thrown overheard
Upon this hint Mr.. Lincoln spake. relating how
an ancient colored lady, dwelling upon the line
Of one of the old Missouri high roads, had &C
quired considerable fame g manufacturer o.
| game pies, which travellers were won't to uur
chase as they passed her habitation, and enjoy
| as they went their onward way. In the natura
course OF events her ''ole man." who provided
the chief ingredient OF these delightful pasties
| grew feeble and rheumatic, and failed to keep u
the supply; but the business was too rroftabl
to be stopped, and the sales went on for awkil
as briskly as ever. Presently. however, Gus to
mers began to grumbls, and at last Aunt Jen n